ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1044, 6 February 1911, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

$ OPEKA HOUSE. ■ "What Happened lo Jones" was produced on Saturday night for the second tinio this season beforo a well-filled house, which rocked with laughter from "the rise of the curtain until its fall. This bright and sparkling comedy is full of good things, uud there is not ono dull moment in the whole of the two hours in which the various characters, as portrayed by tho Kupcrt Clarke and Clyde jMeynell Company occupy the stage. Mr. Geo. .Willoughby's impersonation in the part of "Jones" was extremely good, and his gags and smart asides were brim full of humour. Miss Beatrice Day, in tho role of Sirs. Goodly, tho professor's straight-laced wife, acted her part admirably, and appeared to pleaso tho audience greatly. Tho character work of Mr. F. B. Sharp as Professor Goodly was well done, as also was the work of Miss Kelly Mortyne, who took tho part of Alviua Starlight. Tho various other members of tho talented company made the most of the parts allotted to them, but special mention should bo made of Miss Amy Willard as Cissy and; Miss Stella Payton as tho quaint and amusing Butch servant. • A curtain-raiser entitled "Tho Grey I Parrot" preceded tho comedy, and this | two was responsible for much laughter. "What Happened to Jones" will be repeated to-night, and until further notice. There is a probability of J?-. C. Carton's latest comedy, "Mr. Precdy and tho Countess," being staged before the season concludes, THEATRE ROYAL,. To-night, Messrs. John Fuller and Sons will present a new and thoroughly entertaining programme of vaudevillo at the Theatre Royal. To mention a few of tho •more conspicuous items, a diverting comedy, "Married a Week," will bo presented by Mr. l'Ved Graham and Miss Nellie Bent. "Tho Anderson Trio" will present their clever "Girard" act. Parrel and Gaffney, Cecilo Stephnuo, Ruby Wallace, Jack" ICnowlcs, Scot Gibson. Elaine Yerrol, and Charles Heath will each contribute new and interesting turns, and Mr. "Wally Dawson, comedian, Anil make his first appearance. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. "House Full!" was the cry at this popular place of amusement on Saturday evening last, when tho current series of pictures was screened for the last time. To-night thoro will' be a complete change of programme, tho new series, to arrive by the English mail this evening, including some particularly fine scemc subjects. One of tho best is entitled "Rivers and Valleys of Norway.". The country illustrated being tho centre of tho great Scandinavian timber trade—a charming panorama of a wide valley, with the river winding among the trees. "Among the Parsoes of Bombay" is also a fine travel subject by Fathe Frcres. Among the other , films are "The Little Station Gent.," a powerful dramatic study by the Edison Company, "The Sunday Edition" (showing the adventures of a newspaper reporter), "The Foreman," "Love in Quarantine," "Tweedledum Takes Tragical Parts," "Home Melody," and "The Patho Gazette." The programme will be repeated to-morrow and "Wednesday night, and another complete change will be given on Thursday next. KING'S THEATRE. There wero largo attendances at i:ho King's Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evfiifng. The children's prize matinee, which is held every Saturday, continues ti bo a very popular occasion with tho little ones. . A complete change of programme will be* made this and some very interesting films are promised. STAR PICTURES. ' The Star Picture entertainment at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, was well attended on Saturday. To-night there will bo a change oi programme, an unusually good selection of films having .Veen, promised by the management.-. -

"A MESSAGE FROM MAES." . "A Message from Mars" Tvill be tho opening bili of tho Flimmer-Denniston season, commencing at the Opera llouso next Saturday, but owing to the brevity of tho season and tho number of pieces to be produced it will only be staged for two-nights. "A Message from Mars' conveys a wholesome moral' lesson. It represents a victory of humano_influenco over a nature .grown selfish in an environment of ease, refinement, and luxury. The reformation is brought .-about by a dream visitor from Mars, who is exiled from the planet and is (loomed to remain in the world until ho bas'convorted the most selfish man to he found in it. Tho reprieve of the messenger is achieved by him subjecting Horace Parker, an extremely selfish man, to a series-of experiments, in which Parker is taught to renliso the beauty of.what the Martian refers to as "otherdom," and to spontaneously exercise real, self-sacrificing generosity. Tho mysterious Martian's prominent connection with the * story allows of tho introduction of many magic effects, and the stage mechanicians have taken full advantage of their, opportunities. "Lovers' Lane" will bo revived on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 14 and 15, and "Tho Passing of the Third Floor Back" vfill bo staged on Thursday, February 10. The box plans for all performances open at tho Dresden on Wednesday morning. WONDERLAND. On Saturday afternoon a fair number journeyed to Wonderland. Miramar, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Tho various side-shows, the toboggan, miniature railway, and 'water-chute afforded much amusement, and were well patronised by old and young alike during the afternoon. A NEW THEATRE. 7 Messrs. Puller and Sons are to open their new picture palace (His Majesty's Theatre) at Palmerston North-this evening. Tho hall, which has been built oil tli'o most approved design so far as tho comfort and convenience of tho public are concerned, will be utilised as a permanent picture liall, -where tho latest arid best pictures from England, tho Cantinent, and America will be shown. Mr. .Toiin Puller, sen., has come down from Auckland for-the opening, and Mr. John Puller, juu., will leavo for. Palmerston this morning for the same purpose. CASEY, THE.CHIMPANZEE. "Casey," tho liuman-liko chimpanzee, had a large number of visitors to see bini on Saturday night, and hundreds were turned away for want of accommodation. All who ''saw him wero delighted with the intelligence which lie displayed. He was especially friendly, with his patrons, and embraced both gentlemen and ladies alike. Tho only thing apparently he cannot do is to speak, and possibly that is just as well, or ho might reply to criticisms of somo of tho visitors with a truth that would b? too personal to be pleasant. "Casey" writes his autograph, rings a parlour hell, winds a.watch, smokes a pipe, plays on a piano and mouth-organ, wheels a perambulator, performs on Roman rings, and gives other evidences of intelligence. He will be "at homo" at OS . Willis Street, between tho hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., 3 and 5, 7 and 9 p.m. . . "BABY BLISS." The d2st. some odd pounds of humanity, known as "Baby Bliss," attracted an exceptionally large number of interviewers on Saturday night at his rooms in Willis. Street, opposite tho Hotel Windsor. Tho*"Baby" is a mountain of good nature. No one would associate him with any kind of mental or physical trouble. Ho may be fairly agile, judging by the way ho promenades about his "pit." He is a marvel of stoutness, who cheerfully affirms that lie does not know what indigestion means. He will bo holding levees again for a few more days only, as ho is on a tour round the world, and can only make short stays ill each placo whero ho visits.